Desk pad



S. SEGAL April 15, 1952 DESK PAD 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 10, 1949 TL mm v m ATTOR N EY A ril 15, 1952 SEGAL 2,592,828

DESK PAD Filed Nov. 10, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5.

INVENTOR SAMUEL SEGAL ATTORNEY April 15; 1952 S GAL 2,592,828

DESK PAD Filed Nov. 10, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 v a I 240 I 4 4I./ x0 I if INVENTOR SAMUEL SEGAL BY M2 ATTORN EY Patented Apr. 15 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to desk pads, particularly to devices of this category adapted to hold a pad of loose sheets.

The convenience of having pads arranged with unbound edges is generally recognized, since such pads do not require the tearing of each sheet from the holder, and therefore eliminate a packet of stubs that must be removed when the pad has been consumed; and furthermore, pads of this class permit refillings before the pad has been completely used up. However, most conventional devices for accomplishing this objective have certain shortcomings which render them impractical for commercial use. Where the sheets are loosely held encased within a box, it is generally difficult to perform any writing directly on the pad because of the side walls of the container; and hence each sheet must be separately removed before any writing can be conveniently done thereon. Other types of holders employ spring or weighted means for holding the loose sheets into the form of a pack. Many of these are cumbersome, costly to fabricate and generally obstruct a considerable portion of the top of the pad which is accordingly rendered useless.

It is primarily within the contemplation of my invention to provide a device which will effectively hold a plurality of loose sheets in the form of a pad, and which will have none of the disadvantages aforesaid.

More specifically, it is an important object of my invention to provide a pad holder which will permit writing directly on the top sheet of the pad before removing same, and which will per-' mit a ready removal of the topmost sheet without mutilating the sheet and without leaving a stub on the holder.

It is a further object of my invention to enin this aspect of my invention, it is an important object to enable the spring-urged holding means to accomplish their intended purpose, and yet leave most of the top of the sheet unobstructed so that it may be used for receiving notes thereon, for advertising matter or for a calendar.

It is also within the contemplation of my m vention to provide a device of the category abovementioned in which the yieldable holding means will be urged in pressing engagement with the pad regardless of the thickness thereof, so that all the sheets up to the very last one may be operatively and firmly held on the holder and in the position for receiving writing thereon.

It is still a further object of my invention, in a special adaptation thereof, to provide a cover member which is disposed upon the topmost sheet of the pad, so as to hide from view any writing which may appear on the topmost sheet, and yet which may itself serve as a decorative element or as one on which advertising matter appears.

And in the last-mentioned aspect of my invention, it is a further object to maintain the said cover member in yieldable pressing engagement with the top of the pad, so as to aid the holding members in their intended functions, and also aid in flattening out any topmost sheet that had been replaced on the pad.

It is a further object of my invention to provide the said cover member with a pivotal support, whereby it may be conveniently raised from its obstructing position, to permit the pad to be operatively used.

And still a further object of my invention is to provide pad sheets which will be conveniently and effectively adapted for use with a pad holder of the type above-mentioned.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the drawings and the description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawings,

Y Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred form of my invention.

Figure 2 is a side view thereof.

Figure 3 is a transverse section of Figure 2 taken along line 3-3.

Figure 4 is a view like Figure 3, but showing fewer sheets on the base.

Figure 5 is a bottom view of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a transverse section of Figur 5 taken along line 6-43, and showing the topmost sheet in the process of being operatively removed.

Figure '7 is a view like Figure 6, showing a further position of the topmost sheet during its removal from the pad.

Figure 8 is a view like Figure 6, but showing a reversed sheet being replaced on the pad.

Figure 9 is a top view of a modified form of my invention, showing a pivotally mounted cover member operatively disposed upon the pad.

Figure 10 is a longitudinal section of Figure 9 3 taken along line Ill-l0, the cover member being shown slightly raised.

Figure 11 is a transverse section of Figure 9 taken substantially along line i I-l I.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a corner portion of the cover member and a supporting bracket, and

Figure 13 is a fragmentary plan view of a sheet of the pad employed in the structure of Figures 9 to 12;

In the particular embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, the pad holder comprises a base 15 supporting the pad l6 consisting of a plurality of loose sheets having two sets of apertures I? and i8 in registry. Although it is preferred to have two sets of apertures, disposed in the upper corners of the pad as shown, a greater or fewer number of differently positioned holes and associated elements may be employed within the contemplation of this invention. The base contains the holes 19 and 20 in underlying registry with the apertures I] and It, the posts 2| and 22 extending through the said holes and apertures in the manner illustrated. The posts have upper pad-engaging portions 23 and 2.4 pro-' portionedto overlap the said apertures ll and 18 so as toengage thetopmost sheet Isa.

In the preferred form of: my invention, said upper portions are substantially spherical, and

are proportioned to permit them to pass through the apertures l1 and I8 when a topmost sheet is being operatively removed, as indicated. in Figures Sandi, thereby slightly enlarging said apertures by upsetting their. inner circumferential edges 25, all as will more clearly hereinafter appear.

Theposts 2Il and 22 are secured-to'the movable support 26 which is preferably a transversely disposed bar having a main central portion 2? anditwo lateral extensions 28' and 29, the extensionsbeing at a lower level than the main portion. The particular posts 2! and 22 are removably secured to the bar 25, preferably by having theirlower ends 39 and: 3! in. threaded engagement with main portion 21.

Theextensions 28 and 29" contain the holes 32 and 33 through which extend the respective legs 34; and 35? which support the rear of the base. Said; legs are normal to the base l5 and parallel to the posts 2| and 2-2. The legs therefore serve as guides for the bar 2.6 during its operative movement, enabling the posts to move normal to theplane of the sheets on the pad, whereby the spherical tops 23 and 24 will at all times be in optimum pad-engaging position.

Disposed over legs- 34. and 35, and between the base 15 and the saidextensions 28 and29 are the springs 36 and- 3.1 normally urging the bar 26 downwardly away from. the base.- Because of this action the spherical tops 2% and. 24 are in cqnstantyieldable pressing engagement-with the topmost sheet of the pad.

It is thus apparent that a pad of loose sheets may be firmly'supportedon the pad holder, the sheetsbeing successively removable without leaving,aistub.' By referring to'Figures fiend 7 itwill be seen. that, upon a lifting of one corner of, the topmost sheet 576a, the; holes llctwill beslightly enlarged when the inner peripheral portions are. upset, permitting a removal of the entire sheet without tearing it through to the margin. Should it be desired to reverse the sheet and replace it, that can be effected as indicated in Figure 8,.the enlarged holes facilitating this action.

As the pad becomes thinner through the progressive removal of sheets, the posts 2! and 22 will be correspondingly lowered due to the action of springs 36 and 31, so that the spherical tops 23 and 24 will at all times be in yieldable press ing engagement with the pad, up to the very last sheet (see Figure 4).

Should it be desired to secure a new pad to the device, all that need be done is to unscrew the posts 21 and 22 from the bar 26, and withdraw them upwardly through the holes IS and 20 of the base, leaving the top of the base clear for the placement of the new pad thereon. Thereafter the posts are inserted through the apertures l! and 18 of the pad, through the holes l9-and 2! of the base, and into engagement with the cross-bar 25. It is also obvious that the said posts may be withdrawn even before the pad is fully consumed, so that replacements of additional sheets may be made at any time.

It should be particularly noted that practically the entire area of the topmost pad is exposed for use, since the pad-engaging portions 23 and 24 occupy a minimum of space. Not only is there thus a maximum of space available for writing, but if desired the space between the posts may be used for calendar or advertising matter.

Figures 9 to 13 illustrate a further adaptation of my invention. The elements of the form of my invention above described are incorporated substantially in similar manner, butin addition there is a plate 38 maintained substantially at the level of the topmost sheet of the pad, the particular embodiment illustrated being a cover member which overlies the pad and is maintained in yieldable pressing engagement therewith. More specifically, the cover member has a rearward central extension 39 which is flanked by and pivotally mounted on the rearwardly extending arms 40 of the brackets 41 secured to and supported by the bar 260: which also supports the posts 21a and 22a. The upper corners of the cover member contain, in the preferred form thereof, twoholes 42; and 43 proportioned. to accommodate the pad-engaging tops23a and 24a or to enable them to pass therethrough. It is also preferred that the cover member 38 be substantially at the level of said tops, so that the cover member and said tops will operatively coact to engage the topmost sheet, and maintain the pad in fiat pressing engagement with the base.

It will be observed that the base has apertured portions 44 to permit the passage therethrough of the brackets 4|, and also that the pad 45 has slots 46 (flanked by the corner holes Ha and we, of the pad) to accommodate therein the said brackets and their arms 5!] and to permit operative movements of the cover member 38. The pin 41 extends through the loop 48 of the cover member, and constitutes a pivotal support.

It will also be noted that said top portions 23a and 24a have a threaded hole 49 which is in threaded engagement with the post. This ar rangement permits said top portions to be removed, for the purpose of securing a new pad inplace.

In employing this form of my invention, the cover 38'may normally be kept in closed position, the downwardly urged bar 28a keeping the cover in pressing engagement with the top of the pad. This will, as aforesaid, maintain it in flat condition, and will at the same time expose to view the top of the cover which may contain thereon either advertising; or decorative material. when it is desired to use the pad proper, the cover is pivotally raised, and the upper sheet is fully exposed for receiving writing thereon or for operative removal. And when it is desired to replace a sheet, in the manner indicated in Figure 8, the downward closing action of the cover member 38 will be effective in pushing the sheet into flat engagement with the top of the pad.

In the above description, the invention has been disclosed merely by way of example and in preferred manner; but obviously many variations and modifications may be made therein which will still be comprised within its spirit. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or manner of practicing same, except in so far as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a pad holder for use with a pad of sheets having apertures in registry, a base for supporting the pad, an apertured portion in the base positioned for underlying registry with said apertures in the pad, a post extending through said apertured portion of the base and adapted to extend through-the apertures in the pad, said post having an upper pad-engaging portion proportioned to overlap the apertures in the pad and positioned for engaging the topmost sheet of the pad, said pad-engaging portion being in spaced relation to the edges of the pad, whereby an unobstructed area is presented on said topmost sheet surrounding and adjacent said pad-engaging portion, and yieldable means urging said post downwardly, whereby said pad-engaging portion will be adapted for pressing engagement with the top of the pad, said pad-engaging portion being proportioned to permit it to engage and upset the circular edge portion defining the aperture in each of the sheets and thereby enlarge the aperture sufiiciently to permit said pad-engaging portion to slidably pass through said enlarged aperture upon an operative removal of the topsheet.

2. In a pad holder, the combination according to claim 1, the said pad-engaging portion of the post comprising a substantially spherical top.

3. In a pad holder for use with a pad of sheets having apertures in registry, a base for supporting the pad, and apertured portion in the base positioned for underlying registry with said apertures in the pad, a post extending through said apertured portion of the base and adapted to extend through the apertures in the pad, said post having an upper pad-engaging portion proportioned to overlap the apertures in the pad and positioned for engaging the topmost sheet of the pad, said pad-engaging portion being in spaced relation to the edges of the pad, whereby an unobstructed area is presented on said topmost sheet surrounding and adjacent said padengaging portion, a movable supporting bar transversely disposed below the base, said post being secured to the bar, spring means disposed between and in engagement with the underside of the base and the said bar, said spring means urging the bar downwardly away from the base, whereby said pad-engaging portion will be in pressing engagement with the top of a pad operatively disposed on the base, said pad-engaging portion being proportioned to permit it to engage and upset the circular edge portion defining the aperture in each of the sheets and thereby enlarge the aperture sufficiently to permit said pad-engaging portion to slidably pass through said enlarged aperture upon an operative removal of the top sheet.

4. In a pad holder, the combination according to claim 3, further provided with leg means supporting the base, said leg means being substantially parallel to said post, said bar having an extension slidably engageable with the leg means during its operative movement, whereby the direction of movement of the bar will be in the direction of the longitudinal extent of said leg means.

' underlying registry with said sets of holes, a

plurality of posts extending through said apertures in the base and adapted to extend through the sets of holes in the pad when operatively disposed on the base, each of said posts having an upper pad-engaging portion proportioned to overlap the holes in the pad and positioned for engaging the topmost sheet of the pad, said padengaging portion being in spaced relation to the edges of the pad, whereby an unobstructed area is presented on said topmost sheet surrounding and adjacent said pad-engaging portion, a movable supporting bar transversely disposed below the base, said posts being removably secured to the bar, a plurality of legs supporting the base and disposed substantially parallel to the said posts, said bar having lateral extensions thereon in slidable engagement with said legs during the operative movement of the bar, whereby the direction of movement of the bar will be in the direction of the longitudinal extent of said legs, and springs disposed about said legs and be tween said base and said extensions, said springs urging the bar downwardly away from the base, whereby the posts will be correspondingly moved downwardly and their said pad-engaging portions will be in pressing engagement with the top or the pad when operatively disposed on the base, said pad-engaging portion being proportioned to permit it to engage and upset-the circular edge portion defining the aperture in each of the sheets and thereby enlarge the aperture sufficiently to permit said pad-engaging portion to slidably pass through said enlarged aperture upon an operative removal of the top sheet.

6. In a pad holder, the combination according to claim 5, said lateral extensions of the bar being I an unobstructed area is presented on said top-- most sheet surrounding and adjacent said padengaging portion, a movable support below the said pad-engaging portion, the post being detachably secured to the support, whereby it may be removed and withdrawn through the apertures of the pad to release the pad, and yieldable v means urging said post downwardly, whereby said pad-engaging portion will be in pressing engagement with the top of the pad, said padengaging portion being proportioned to permit it to engage and upset the circular edge portion defining; the aperture in each of the sheets and thereby enlarge the aperture sufiiciently to permit said pad-engaging portion to slidably pass through said enlarged aperture upon an operative removal of the top sheet.

8. In a pad holder for use with a pad of sheets having apertures in registry, a base for supporting: the pad, an apertured portion in the base positioned for underlying registry with said apertures in the pad, a post extending through said apertured portion of the base and adapted to extend through the apertures in the pad, said post having an upper pad-engaging portion proportioned to overlap theapertures in the pad and positioned for engaging the topmost sheet of the pad, said pad-engaging portion being in spaced relation to the edges of the pad, whereby an unobstructed area is presented on said topmost sheet surrounding and adjacent said padengaging portion, and yieldable means urging said post downwardly, whereby said pad-engaging portion will be adapted for pressing engagement with the top of the pad, further provided with a cover member disposed above and yieldably urged towards the base, said cover member being adapted to overlie a pad operatively disposed on thebase, whereby the pad will be held pressed between the cover member and the base, said pad-engaging portion being proportioned to permit it to engage and upset the circular edge portion defining the aperture in each of the sheets and thereby enlarge the aperture sufiiciently to permit said pad-engaging portion to slidably pass through said. enlarged aperture upon an operative removal of the top sheet.

9. In a pad holder for use with a'pad of sheets having apertures in registry, a base for supporting the pad, an apertured portion in the base positioned for underlying registry with said apertures in the pad, a postextending through said apertured portion of the base and adapted to extend through the apertures in the pad, said padengaging portion being in spaced relation to the edges of the pad, whereby an unobstructed area is presented on said topmost sheet surrounding and adjacent said pad-engaging portion, said post having an upper pad-engaging portion proportioned to overlap the apertures in the pad and positioned for engaging the topmost sheet of the pad, and yieldable means urging said post downwardly, whereby said pad-engaging portion will be adapted for pressing engagement with the top of the pad, further provided with a plate disposed above the base, a movable support for the post below the base, and abracket supported by the support and extending upwardly through the base, said bracket supporting the plate, said pad-engaging portion being proportioned to permit it to engage and upset the circular edge portion defining the aperture in each of the sheets and thereby enlarge the aperture sufiiciently to permit said padeengaging portion to slidably pass throughsaid enlarged aperture upon an operative removal of. the top sheet.

10. In a pad holder, the combination according to claim 8, further provided with a movable support for the post below the base, and a bracket supported by the support and extending upwardly through the base, said bracket supporting the cover member, the said cover member being disposed substantially at the level of the pad-engaging portion of the said post and being re- 8 cessed in the region of the post, whereby the cover member will clear the post and its said pad-engaging portion.

11. In a pad holder for use with a pad of sheets having apertures in registry, a base for supporting the pad, an apertured portion in the base positioned for underlying registry with said apertures in the pad, a post extending through said apertured portion of the base and adapted to extend through the apertures in the pad, said post having an upper pad-engaging portion proportioned to overlap the apertures in the pad and positioned for engaging the topmost sheet of the pad, said pad-engaging portion being in spaced relation to the edges of the pad, whereby an unobstructed area is presented on said topmost sheet surrounding and adjacent said pad-engaging portion, and yieldable means urging said post downwardly, whereby said pad-engaging portion will be adapted for pressing engagement with the top of the pad, further provided with a plate disposed above the base, a movable support for the post below the base, and a bracket supported by the support and extending upwardly through the base, said bracket supporting the plate, whereby the plate and post are in fixed relation, said bracket pivotally supporting the cover member, said pad-engaging portion being proportioned to permit it to engage and upset the circular edge portion defining the aperture in each of the sheets and thereby enlarge the aperture sufliciently to permit said pad-engaging portion to slidably pass through said enlarged aperture upon an operative removal of the top sheet.

12. In a desk pad unit, the combination according toclaim '7, further provided with a bracket supported by the support and extending upwardly through the base, a cover member supported by the bracket substantially at the level of said pad-engaging portion and yieldably urged into pressing engagement with the top of the pad, the cover member being recessed to clear said pad-engaging portion of the post, the sheets of the pad having slotted portions in registry extending inwardly from an edge thereof, said bracket extending through said slotted portions.

SAMUEL SEGAL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 681,118 Henkle Aug. 20, 1901 920,072 Maltby Apr. 2'7, 1909 1,083,913 Bates Jan. 13, 1914 1,320,656 Stith Nov. 4, 1919 1,354,894 Delkin Oct. 5, 1920 1,516,498 Pilkington Nov. 25, 1924 1,520,982 Sullivan Dec. 30, 1924 1,672,439 Wall June 5, 1928 1,781,022 Levy Nov. 11, 1930 1,822,295 Johnson Sept. 8, 1931 2,159,212 Hope May 23, 1939 2,468,650 Beckstrom Apr. 26, 1949 2,504,654 Curtis Apr. 18, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 730,691 France May 1'7, 1932 449,823 Great Britain July 6, 1936 

